Academy will offer public chance to learn police duties

An eight-week citizens academy will be offered to Cape Girardeau residents to help familiarize them with the daily activities of the police department and to increase the cooperation between police and the community.

The academy will be held once a week and will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday. It will cover a variety of topics taught by law enforcement officers: patrol, traffic, crime prevention, domestic violence, jail issues and health/nuisance.

The academy also will create a greater awareness and appreciation of the challenges and decisions police officers face each day.

Graduates of the academy will be given opportunities to volunteer for the police department, although volunteering is not mandatory.

Interested citizens should contact Cpl. Ike Hammonds of the police department's training and community affairs division at 336-6621, extension 1124.